I really need some Advice..

baseballplaya- First off, I admire you for getting through a tough time with the injury and then recognizing your passion and working through the mishaps that occurred in your life, whether they are of fault to you or not.

In terms of your question, I don't think anyone can really answer you honestly. There are many positive components of all three of the options you've presented. There are also probably negative ones as well. Without knowing you specifically and knowing the schools we are discussing it becomes nearly impossible to project the right possible fit.

One thing I will say is this...I would err towards the side of caution of choosing a school strictly for baseball. Baseball is certainly one criteria of the ultimate decision, but it is not the only factor involved in it. Secondly, I would suggest sitting down with your parents and discussing what they feel would be the best fit, from many perspectives. Academics, social life, proximity to home, finances, athletics, etc. are all factors that come into play with making a decision such as this.

Sorry that I couldn't be of more assistance. Best of luck in the decision.

Thanks JH, I really appreciate the response. I understand your point about hard give advice without really knowing the schools. The D3 School is University of the Ozarks, and the D2 Schools are Univeristy of Arkansas - Fort Smith and Ouachit Baptist. Im just confused as to how important that first year really is. Would I be wasting my education to play one year at a junior college?

Also I wish I could talk to my parents.. but they dont really support baseball, never have.. so really Im just on my own in that area.

If all things are equal I would avoid as much of the debt as possible.

In today's economy and lack of jobs awaiting many college student's today, I would wholeheartedly agree.

There was a recent news show on here in Atlanta about college debt after college and I was dumbfounded at the huge amount these kids leave college with today. Some have the potential to be paying on their college debt when their own kids are beginning college!

JUCO ball is an excellent choice to grow and mature. Plus, if school is paid for that's just 1 less year of school you'll have to worry about financially.

My two cents worth would be

1. Go to the school that will provide you the best education in the major you want to pursue. If the school that leaves you in debt is that one then go for it. Paying the debt off will stink big time but think of it as an investment.

2. If you don't know what you want to major in then I would go with the least amount of debt that provides a bigger choice in terms of classes / majors so you can pick something later on after you get your college feet wet.

I agree with JH in that baseball shouldn't really be too far up there in terms of why to pick a school. If you can hit the trifecta of major, low cost and playing time then obviously go for it. But out of the trifecta baseball is the least important.

Hi playa,

You are getting very good advice and I know it is hard to make this choice. And you are getting a wide range of answers, with valid points in each, which makes it even more confusing.

However, I tend to agree with those who say, use baseball as the last criteria on your list.

Is it your feeling that the U of Ozarks a better academic choice than the other two? If you can go to U of Ozarks, if I am reading this right, for only 2K a year out of pocket, then in my mind it makes complete sense to go there. 100%.

That academic money you are getting from U of O means they want you and value you as a student, and that is money you can count on more than you can baseball money. (Clarify that point at the JUCO: what happens to my money at JUCO if I get hurt or don't play well?)

I would simply drop the D2 option. Why go into debt, and be a non-recruited player?

What is most important in my view is the lifetime benefit of the education and the four years you have ahead of you as an undergraduate. At U of O, you can go knowing you are in the academic and social "home" you will have for 4 years, you will establish ties with faculty and friendships for life, you'll have no disruption to your education as you would with the JUCO + transfer path. All of your classemates will be headed down the path for a 4 year degree, hopefully in 4 years, which is not always the case at a JUCO. (Many 2 year schools include adult learners, people who need to stop out for financial reasons, students with only a 2 year degree goal, etc. The education can be great but you will perhaps not have the same collegiate feel.)

FYI (and before others on this board call me out on this) I am not 'anti - JUCO' at all. You need to weigh the pros and cons. But if your most important goal is a solid education with minimal debt, and baseball is the 'icing on the cake' then go with the 4 year degree at the D3.

Before you break the ties with the JUCO, be 100% you have your fin aid lined up at Ozarks. And, have another visit to each of the schools (if possible) as you decide. Picture yourself at each place, as a student, without baseball. Which one is the best home for you?

Good luck, it is a very tough decision, but an exciting time.

Great advise Mom.

Based solely on what you posted, I personally would go JUCO for several reasons. First, no (or little) debt. Secondly, chance for playing time. Third, you can develop as a player and still transfer after a year without having to sit, or after your second year. You could transfer to a better academic or baseball school and the D1 dream will continue during this time.

As far as academics, many if not most will disagree with this, but unless you are a genius, going to cure cancer or have some other unbelievable mental gifts, there is absolutely nothing wrong with JUCO. Nobody will care where you went to school your first 2 years. It's where you finish, not where you start. I challenge anyone on this board to tell me a single disadvantage of going to JUCO in this situation as posed by the OP (other than the stigma created by uninformed people).

Finally, at the end I would follow what I love. If there is a career besides baseball which you are passionate about, follow it. But if your only passion is baseball go wherever you can continue playing. And avoid the debt at all costs unless you are going to Harvard, Yale or some other elite academic school. This country has been brain washed to think that JUCO is a lesser option, hurts your future, is for people who are not as smart, etc. It's all hogwash. Go to JUCO get good grades and play ball. The worst thing that can happen is you were able to play ball an additional two years and have no debt. The best thing is you play, get great grades and keep playing after JUCO, either at a great academic DIII or who knows, maybe a D1.

In conclusion, go to a JUCO get good grades and all will be just fine. Avoid debt!!!

Good luck in your decision.

I agree with 2013 dad for the most part. JUCO will allow you to get some academic credits under your belt and also give you the opportunity to develop on the field by receiving more playing time. However, there is value in going to a 4 year school and getting involved in campus life, meeting friends, and enjoying all the things college has to offer outside of baseball. Sounds like you have your act together and will be successful no matter what road you choose. Best of luck!!

One negative thing about going the JUCO route (I hope I'm wrong and things have changed) is to take classes that will transfer to a four year school easily. There's no point in taking a class at the JUCO that won't be accepted at a four year school - complete waste of money.

When I played many years ago we had a couple of guys hammered with this. They came in after two years at a JUCO and it was almost like they never went to school before. I hope things are different now but if you go JUCO make sure this doesn't happen to you.

My two cents...

If you have the end goal of becoming a professional baseball player or moving up to D1 in the future, I would go the JUCO route.

If neither of the above is true, then I totally agree with BaseballmomandCEP's thought process. It appears to me to be a slam dunk. I would lean towards the school that offers the best academics, little financial burden, and a coaching staff that wants you.

So, I would rethink my career goals, and then pick the appropriate path.

Best of luck!

Thanks for all of the advice everyone, I TRULY Appreciate all of it!

baseballplaya92104,

Thanks for the post, and please let us know which direction you go. It really is important to us.

Yogi Berra had a great quote for a sitiuation such as this:

"When you come to a fork in the road, take it."

JUCO won't necessarily hurt you in your non-baseball career. When you get the degree from the 4 year school, there's no footnote on it which says you attended JUCO before going to the 4 year school.

I had a brief stint at a JUCO, then got a 4 year degree, a law degree and am now a CEO.

There are many stories like mine.

Not only that JUCO is a whole lot cheaper the first two years and you come out with an assocoiates degree. Then you can transfer credits to state universities and get your bachelors . Not a bad deal.